How to Put a Leader on Your Fly Line

The nail knot is an ideal knot for tying a leader to the line of a fly fishing pole. This type of knot gives a smooth, flat connection that won't easily snag on the eyes and guides of the rod. Tying a nail knot requires a tiny diameter tube, as it makes the knot much easier to tie. An empty ink tube from a ballpoint pen can be used to tie a nail knot.

Things You'll Need

  • Empty ink tube of a ballpoint pen
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Align the ink tube and the end of the fly line next to each other and hold them with your left thumb and forefinger so that only two inches of the fly line and ink tube sticks out to the right of your hand.

    • 2

      Make a two-inch loop in the thicker end of the leader and squeeze down, holding this loop with your left thumb and forefinger against the ink tube and fly line, so that your right hand is now free.

    • 3

      Grip the short end of the leader loop and make five tight wraps around the ink tube and fly line; the wraps should be tight against each other and 3/4-inch or more from the end of the fly line. Slide your left thumb and forefinger over the wraps to hold them securely as you cautiously remove the ink tube by sliding it to the left and out of the wraps.

    • 4

      Slightly tighten the nail knot by carefully pulling on both ends of the leader without pulling on the fly line. Wet the knot area and check the wraps for evenness, then tighten the knot by pulling on both ends of the leader at the same time as it pinches down on the fly line. Pull hard on the fly line and trim the tag ends on both the leader and fly line.